In marketing (whether B2B or B2C), there is often reliance on third-party resources to help come up with ideas and\/or to deliver a solution or result.<\/p>\n
Therefore collaboration can be critical for effectiveness in most functions and especially in marketing, regardless of a company\u2019s size. But how do we successfully outsource and collaborate with Marketing Agencies, Consultants and Vendors?<\/p>\n
In my mind, there are best practices worth considering as one outsources for the first time and\/or evolves existing relationships. Outsource needs can vary dramatically and some assignments are more complicated and expensive than others; so consider this a set of baseline considerations<\/em>.<\/p>\n I am an independent marketing consultant now, in my previous life (in corporate marketing departments) I often hired and worked with outsourced help to get important work done. The emphasis for these best practices is on working collaboratively with marketing agencies, consultants and vendors, from the client’s point-of-view.<\/p>\n Collaborate on strategy that supports your vision<\/b> \u2022\tLeverage those that are experts; don\u2019t feel like you have to do all the \u201cthinking work\u201d yourself \u2013 make them part of the working team in the early stages (as makes sense).<\/p>\n Crystal clear assignments<\/b> \u2022\tThis can help them stay focused on a set of specific objectives, and help you stay on track with what you\u2019re accountable for (i.e. the end game).<\/p>\n Welcome challenge and mind workload<\/b> \u2022\tRemember they have other clients and schedules to stick to; it\u2019s not all about you. A great agency will make you believe it is in fact all about you — but that doesn\u2019t mean you should take advantage; be courteous and considerate of what\u2019s happening on their side.<\/p>\n Be a good listener when they raise issues or questions that are challenging; respect their knowledge and insights during the process. Trust that they know what they\u2019re doing \u2014 don\u2019t micro manage. But at the same time\u2026. Keep your partners out of the dark<\/b> Schedule visits at their offices and yours. Evaluate, post-mortem<\/b> The point is: Outsourcing for marketing support, brand strategy, campaigns, creative design, research, technology, marketing automation, etc. is becoming increasingly common and imperative, and a plethora of resources are out there to help almost any type of business. As you engage in these opportunities, get your ducks in a row and think through what it will take for everyone to deliver their best work and drive meaningful outcomes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In marketing (whether B2B or B2C), there is often reliance on third-party resources to help come up with ideas and\/or to deliver a solution or result. Therefore collaboration can be critical for effectiveness in most functions and especially in marketing, regardless of a company\u2019s size. But how do we successfully outsource and collaborate with Marketing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":24682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[69],"dealstore":[],"coauthors":[618],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5897"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5897"},{"taxonomy":"dealstore","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dealstore?post=5897"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/span>Best practices for collaboration with partners<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nHave a well-thought-out vision about what you want to achieve and\/or problems you want to solve. And where it makes sense, include your outsourcing partners, including marketing agencies, consultants and vendor partners, in the process to develop the strategic plan in support of that vision.<\/p>\n
\nBe crystal clear about the assignment you are actually giving them after context is set and\/or some initial brainstorming and discussion has occurred.<\/p>\n
\nOnce the work begins, create a positive working relationship that allows for open communication, including the ability to challenge and ask tough questions. Also be mindful of their workload and competing priorities \u2014 don\u2019t treat them like order takers or put them in constant reactive mode just because you are paying them.<\/p>\n<\/span>Don\u2019t micro manage. But at the same time…<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2022\tBe a leader and a manager; address issues or gaps real-time and be direct. Just as with paid staff, you want to discuss barriers as they come up (not let them fester).<\/p>\n
\nProactively keep them up-to-date on the big picture, as well as other tactics that connect to and\/or have implications for what they are doing.
\n\u2022\tFor example \u2014 shifts in broader strategies, new insights from the sales team, budget changes, related projects, etc.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tThis may help deepen the relationship and provide greater insight into each other\u2019s \u201cworking worlds\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nOnce the work is finished, consider a post-mortem discussion as you would with in-house teams.
\n\u2022\tYou could also give them a formal review and have them give one on you.<\/p>\n